In order to help us think through a number of the changes we are aiming to introduce it was suggested that some Position Descriptions for the elders would be useful ... well, here they are ...

Exactly how an eldership organises itself to lead a church is not fully clarified within the New Testament.  However, as far as we can understand the Biblical material, church leadership is entrusted to a plural eldership. 

So, a team of elders is meant to look after and lead a church ... but for a healthy eldership it is helpful to let one person take a leading role within the team.  That is not the same as saying that this elder leads the church ... because that is what the 'team' is meant to do.  The other elders can then be given responsibilities that allow their strengths to be used best ... at least, that is the plan!

This is what we think it should look like for RRCC for this next season:

Elder (Team Leader) :  Nik Ball (Proposal ... to be confirmed)

Elder (Outward) :  Alisdair Semple

Elder (Inward) :  Mark Hope  (NB:  Mark is currently a Deacon who is 'Acting Up' into this role)

Simplified Church Structure :  This PDF file illustrates how the different roles fit together. 

If you do not have a PDF reader, you can safely download a free version by clicking here.

Until Paul and Helena depart for Cornwall (circa Summer 2012), Paul will be working as a coach and mentor to various members of our leadership team, focussing primarily on the existing elders and a number of our newly appointed Deacons.

It is our hope and expectation to continue Deacon appointments at different points during 2011/2012 and to see one or two more elders join the eldership team before Paul and Helena leave us in 2012.